‘I’m ready to go’

The fact that Murray, who stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall, is an undersized quarterback for the NFL could have made for an easy decision to commit to baseball.

MLB contracts are generally fully guaranteed for a career that lasts, on average, 5.6 years, according to a recent study. NFL careers span just 3.3 years on average, according to the NFL Players’ Association. All drafted rookies are guaranteed four-year contracts.

Depending on how his season at Norman, Oklahoma goes, Murray may rethink his commitment to the A’s — and Riley has left the door open for him to return for his senior year.

Should he win the starting quarterback job from Austin Kendall, Murray will succeed last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, who he shadowed on the Sooners’ sideline last season.

Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, was signed to a four-year $32.7 million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

“I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Murray, who previously played quarterback for a season at Texas A&M, said of competing for the starting spot.

“Obviously, I competed at A&M. Baker, obviously, No. 1 draft pick, we weren’t competing, but for me, I showed up every day to compete.”

In limited action last season, Murray threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 142 yards, including a 66-yard breakaway against West Virginia in his lone start.

“I wouldn’t be here right now if I wasn’t hungry to play (football),” he added. “I think this is the most anticipated football season I’ve ever been ready to play for in my life. I’m ready to go.”

Bo Knows

Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl MVP Russell Wilson played minor league baseball for the Colorado Rockies, but reportedly returned part of his $200,000 bonus so that he could pursue his NFL career.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow played three NFL seasons before switching sports. He has been in the New York Mets farm system since 2016, but suffered a season-ending injury, breaking his hand in July.

The most famous examples of baseball-football dual athletes in the modern era are Dion Sanders and Bo Jackson.

Jackson, a speedy running back, played four NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He suffered a football-ending injury in a 1991 playoff game, but extended his MLB career to eight seasons.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Sanders won two Super Bowls as a cornerback and played in the 1992 World Series for the Atlanta Braves.

Meanwhile, Charlie Ward, who won the Heisman Trophy as Florida State’s quarterback in 1993, turned to the NBA. He enjoyed a 12-year career as a point guard which paid him over $34 million.